WELCHMAN, EDWARD (1665–1739), theologian, son of John Welchman, ‘gentleman,’ of Banbury, Oxfordshire, was born in 1665. He was matriculated as a commoner of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 7 July 1679. He was one of the choristers of Magdalen College in that university from 1679 till 1682 (Bloxam, Register of Magdalen College, i. 117). He proceeded B.A. on 24 April 1683, was admitted a probationer fellow of Merton College in 1684, and commenced M.A. on 19 June 1688. His college presented him in 1690 to the rectory of Lapworth, Warwickshire, and he was also rector of Berkeswell in the same county. He became archdeacon of Cardigan and a prebendary of St. David's on 7 Aug. 1727. Afterwards he became chaplain to the bishop of Lichfield, who collated him to the prebend of Wolvey in that cathedral on 28 Sept. 1732. He obtained the rectory of Solihull, Warwickshire, in 1736, and held it until his death on 19 May 1739.

His son John graduated M.A. at Oxford, and became vicar of Tamworth, Warwickshire. Another son kept an inn at Stratford-on-Avon, and used to boast that his father made the Thirty-nine articles (Spiritual Quixote, bk. xii. chap. x.).

‘A Defence of the Church of England from the Charge of Schism and Heresie, as laid against it by [Henry Dodwell] the Vindicator of the deprived Bishops’ (anon.), London, 1693, 4to.

‘The Husbandman's Manual: directing him how to improve the several actions of his calling, and the most usual occurrences of his life, to the glory of God, and the benefit of his soul,’ London, 1695, 8vo; 25th edit. London, 1818, 8vo; new edit. London, 1821, 12mo.

‘Dr. Clarke's Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity examined; to which are added some remarks on his sentiments, and a brief examination of his Doctrine,’ Oxford, 1714, 4to.